Edited by Alfia Nakipbekova Exploring Xenakis Performance, Practice, Philosophy SERIES IN MUSIC Summary Considered to be one of the most revolutionary composers of About the editor the twentieth century, Iannis Xenakis pushed the boundaries Alfia Nakipbekovais an of classical music. As a largely self-taught composer, Xenakis drew from his technical training in engineering and architecture internationally acclaimed cellist. She to produce music that had the ability to both unnerve and studied with Mstislav Rostropovich, enrapture his audiences. Motivated by his intense study of many Daniil Shafran and Jacqueline Du Pré scientific disciplines, he employed the mathematical rules of the and was the recipient of the Special Prize natural world to test the traditional rules of counterpoint and for Outstanding Mastery of the Cello at harmony, and to explore the spatial texture of sound, colour the Casals Competition in Budapest. Alfia and architecture. The Romanian-born Greek-French composer also studied Comparative Literature and transformed twentieth century classical music for decades to come, Cultural Studies at Birkbeck, University of leaving behind an undeniable legacy that continues to inspire and London, where she received the Marjorie even shock listeners to this day. By approaching Xenakis’s creative output from a variety of Gould Prize and the Dean’s Award. perspectives, the contributors to this edited volume seek not only to Alfia teaches at Leeds Conservatoire, situate Xenakis’s music within a larger cultural, social and political University of Leeds and the Guildhall context but also to shed light on contemporary issues surrounding School of Music and Drama. For her his work. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Xenakis’s PhD thesis, she is currently researching music (in the context of particular works) and musical philosophy: the development of the cello in the late mathematical, structural, performative, as well as the genesis of twentieth century. As well as organising his compositional style and distinctive sound. Xenakis’s artistic the 2017 Symposium ‘Exploring Xenakis: presence on the contemporary music scene, his political influence Performance, Practice, Philosophy’ during the tumultuous protests in Paris ’68, and his first piano supported by the RMA and the composition, Herma, are also explored University of Leeds’ School of Music, in-depth providing Alfia has given presentations and lecture- new insights into the recitals, performing Nomos alpha by life and work of this Iannis Xenakis, at Radboud University avant-garde figure. Nijmegen; Universities of Birmingham, This book will appeal Bangor, York, Leeds, Hong Kong and to contemporary music Rome; University Paris 8, Goldsmiths, researchers, students University of London, the Guildhall and scholars and may School of Music and Drama, and the also be of interest to Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo. artists, performers and composers, alike. July 2019 | Hardback 236x160mm | 146 Pages | ISBN: 978-1-62273-323-1 SUBJECTS Music, Philosophy, Cultural studies VIEW/ORDER ONLINE AT vernonpress.com/book/378 12% DISCOUNT ONLINE USE CODE AT CHECKOUT $ 41 € 35 £ 31 FLYPR12 www.vernonpress.com.